Ms Hutt visited a food co-op initiative in Rhyl which supplies local people with fresh fruit and vegetables.

They offer a very affordable way for people to eat a healthy diet, and they also help people to become more involved in local community activity

Welsh Health Minister Jane Hutt

Under the scheme - believed to be the first of its kind in Wales - customers can order a bag full of fresh produce for as little as �2.

The idea behind the co-ops is to promote the consumption of fresh foods by making goods available at local outlets at competitive prices.

The scheme has been running for four weeks and organisers have said that so far it has proved to be a success.

During the last month outlets have been set up at four different locations in the town.

On Friday Ms Hutt met the community organisations involved in the project.

Community benefits

She said: "The Rhyl Food Co-ops are a marvellous initiative.

"They offer a very affordable way for people to eat a healthy diet, and they also help people to become more involved in local community activity.

"That has real benefits for the individuals themselves and for the communities in which they live."

The scheme works by customers placing their orders for the foods a few days before the delivery day.

The principal of local distribution will have an impact on the accessibility of fresh produce

Community worker Steve Nash

They can order a carrier bag of fresh vegetables for �2, a bag of fruit for �3, and from Friday they will be able to purchase salad produce for �2.

Community development worker, Steve Nash, said: "It is known that heart conditions are exacerbated by a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables.

"By increasing the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables we can help combat that problem.

"The principal of local distribution will have an impact on the accessibility of fresh produce."

At the moment the four centres are selling around 120 to 130 bags of vegetables a week and around 50 bags of fruit.

Mr Nash said: "This scheme has got the potential to grow very significantly."